New: Tyler The Creator – Tron Cat

Rapidly becoming the most eagerly anticipated rap release of the year, GOBLIN is set to see Tyler The Creator break into the mainstream consciousness. With six million plus views on his recent single Yonkers, and a host of sold out shows across much of the world with the rest of the Odd Future crew; 2011 […]

New & MPfree: Shades – Hard Fall

Hard Fall, the first track by Arizona Boise four piece Shades is a blissed out affair, whilst proving joyfully trippy in parts. There are elements of chillwave, pop and electronic influences, ultimately producing a hazy, yet thoroughly listenable track. Released through HolyPage Records as a free download, it certainly sets the bar high for Shades, […]

Video: Alphabet Backwards – Elton John

Sick to death of the Royal Wedding? Here’s a few minutes of joyous indie pop to help replace the hours of tedium experienced today. Elton John (who coincidentally was present at said wedding) is the new single from Oxford group Alphabet Backwards, and sees them adopt a slightly different approach to that found on their […]

Artist Feature: Jakub Hošek

Jakub Hošek is a painter with a necessity to disturb. Featuring mangled and grotesque imagery, combined with vivid colours, Hošek finds himself with something that appalls as well as engages. Put simply, Hošek is a painter, but it’s the subtle influences of illustration and drawings that crawl awkwardly over the canvas, that give the work […]

Video: Lykke Li – Sadness Is a Blessing

As a rule, Lykke Li’s videos are interesting because they embrace the medium as a chance to tell a story rather than simply showcasing the face of a given artist. Tarik Saleh’s latest offering for ‘Sadness is a Blessing’ is no different. It features Li getting slowly more and more wasted in a restaurant, and […]

New & MPFree: Mount Kimbie – Baves Chords

With he dust unearthed by Crooks & Lovers now settled, producer-duo Mount Kimbie are beginning to think about releasing new material. Their new Carbonated EP is set to drop on June 27. Although the single clearly isn’t new, it does feature some remixes from the likes of Airhead, Peter Van Hoesen, and Klaus as well […]

Introducing: CREEP

For a group that have gained a significant profile over the last few months, CREEP are a band that have yet to grace the pages of Crack in the Road. This was largely down to the complete lack of material online. After watching them live last night however I was compelled to write about them […]

Style: Roberto Piqueras Winter 2012

Roberto Piqueras is a 26 year old designer from Spain, Barcelona, known mainly for his bright colours and typically slightly un-wearable clothes. This year his new collection is surprisingly wearable; the collection is based on the slightly random 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The range is composed of jumpers with what look like Barcelona postcards, saffron firework […]

Style: Concept Camera – The WVIL

The award winning design team ‘Artefact’s’ have created one of the most exciting cameras I have seen in a long time. My friend Sam was talking about a concept camera that had detachable lenses, which could keep shooting once detached. I’ve been searching the Internet for a while and now I have found it. The […]

Weekly Discography Guide: R.E.M.

Whenever I think of R.E.M.’s musical career, I automatically split it into three sections, the I.R.S. years, the middle bit, and post-Berry. Catchy tags, I know. The imaginatively titled middle bit consists of five albums, released between R.E.M. signing to Warner and the departure of drummer Bill Berry for personal reasons, generally considered to be closely linked […]

Single Of The Week: Messy Sparkles – Thank God

It’s 2am, I can’t sleep and tomorrow I start a ‘grim as fuck’ sales job so I can pay rent until I start art school again in September. But things aren’t so bad because I put this tune on. Like I said it’s 2am so I’ll keep this short; check out and download the song […]

Artist Interview: Marion Beilles

Prior to this interview I knew very little about Marion Beilles. My knowledge extended to three facts: she’s French, she’s computer literate enough to send me an email and she takes rather wonderful photos. Her work was actually passed on to me by friend of the site, Not a Thing To Believe In, the New […]

Crack In The Road Exclusive Mix #10: Jewellers

It’s only been a few months and we’re already on to our 10th iteration of our ‘Exclusive Mix’ series. To mark the occasion we have a superb mix from up and coming act Jewellers. Ranging from classic instrumental hip-hop to African infused pop, the mix is a far cry from the escapist dreamscapes that Jewellers […]

New & Video: Vacationer – Trip

It’s beginning to feel more like summer every day; the shorts are hastily pulled on, beers are chilling eagerly in the fridge and smiles are slowly forcing their way onto peoples faces. As well as these stereotypical insights, I’ve also noticed my musical tastes molding into more suitable sounds to fit the current weather. Trip […]

New & MPfree: How To Dress Well – Ready For The World (Star Slinger Refix)

What a perfect combination. Two of my favourite artists; Mancunian beat maker Star Slinger remixing Brooklyn lo-fi artist How To Dress Well, it’s a match made in heaven. Both artists have been a mainstay over on the Pitchfork site for the last year, and this new remix of How To Dress Well’s Ready For The […]

Video: Just Another Snake Cult – I Know She Does

Just Another Snake Cult is Thor Bogason from Iceland, multi-instrumentalist and self proclaimed psychedelic pop artist. On Thursday he released the video for his newest single I Know She Does, three minutes of indie pop perfection. Influences for the track are easy to spot, with the likes of The Smiths and Pale Saints, amongst numerous […]

Review: Metronomy – The English Riviera

Places, cities and towns have always had an important place in the lexicon of pop music, whether it’s Springsteen eulogising his beloved New Jersey or Morrissey lamenting the grim realities of life in Manchester.

Review: Solomon’s Hollow – Genre Studies

This collection of eight tracks is a fantastic introduction to those unsure on the beauty and integrity of folk influenced music; opener Silent Film is a gorgeous sonnet, with Nate’s soothing voice gently guiding the track along it’s course. Building up alongside his vocals, there’s touches of Horse Feathers, Iron & Wine and Devendra Banhart, yet it’s by no means copycat music.

Review: Purity Ring – Ungirthed 7″

Ungirthed is the first 7” to be released from disco-dream-pop inspired act Purity Ring. Their work is slow, seductively enchanting and wonderfully angelic. Title track Ungirthed closest contemporary is perhaps Lykke Li, capturing her innocent yet assertive tone while mixing the style with an electronic infused twist. Definitely a group to watch out for. Check […]